Prospect of Agar (Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk.) Planting in Denuded Hilly Areas of Chittagong

摘要

Experimental planting with Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk. was undertaken to assess its suitability on denuded hilly areas of Chittagong, Bangladesh, Germination of the species was 70 percent, and the seedlings attained a height of 40-60 cm in the nurseryat the age of one year Average survival of the out-planted seedlings in four locations was 34.7 percent with 1 85m mean height and 1 92 cm mean diameter after three years. Survival and seedling increment decreased with increasing height of hill slope, apparently because of gradual low soil moisture content Strong and direct sunshine seemed to have adverse effect on seedling survival. The prospect of A, malaccensis appeared to be uncertain for the denuded areas. However, further investigation needs to be undertaken.